Jessie Deane, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

"Jessie Deane, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes" is a carte de visite, a type of small photograph popular in the late 19th century, showcasing actress Jessie Deane. Created by Allen & Ginter, a tobacco company known for producing collectible trading cards featuring prominent figures, the image is a sepia-toned portrait of Deane, likely posed for a theatrical advertisement. The card was distributed as part of a promotional series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. This particular card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, provides a glimpse into the history of tobacco advertising and 19th-century theatrical culture.